Apparatus for controlling traveling webs



Nov. 10,- 1964 J. D. BRocK 3,156,426

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING WEBS Filed Aug. 21, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

I 7:2 JOHN b. EROCK Nov. 10, 1964 J. D. BROCK APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING was 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1962 JOHN 5. E2004 INVENTOR.

BY dhfieWAM-LW ATTORNEYS Nov. 140, 1964 J. D. BROCK APPARATU$ FOR comaonpms TRAVELING WEBS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 21, 1962 JOHN 1). E2004 INVENTOR.

BY wwfimw ATTORNEYS Nov. 10, 1964 J. D. BROCK APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING WEBS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 21, 1962 IIIHLM INVENTOR. JOHN b. BEOCK BY am A T TOENE Y5 United States Patent "re 3,156,426 APPARATUS FQR CONTROLLING TRAVELING WEBS John D. Brock, Rte. 1, Dalton, Ga, assignor of fifty percent to Richard A. Brunette, Dalton, Ga. Filed Aug. 21, W62, Ser. No. 218,337 14 Claims. (Cl. 242--5.2)

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling traveling webs and more particularly to an improved apparatus for insuring that one edge of such a web travels along a substantially constant line.

In the manufacture of needle tufted carpets, rugs or similar items, a prewoven base fabric in Web form is employed and this web is tufted to produce the finished article. This base fabric web is usually delivered to the carpet or rug manufacturing plant in rolls onto which the same was wound during the Weaving operation. The ends of these rolls are not square since the edges of the web were not maintained in line when the web was Wound on the rolls. Also,-the fabric web frequently varies in Width which also contributes to the unevenness of the ends of the rolls.

Conventional tufting machines require that at least one edge of the base fabric web pass therethrough along a substantially constant line of travel such that the Web is properly presented to the working elements of the machines. Therefore, it is the common practice to un- Wind the base fabric web from the roll upon which the same was initially wound and to rewind the same onto another roll. During this rewinding process, considerable care is exercised to insure that one edge of the web is maintained true and in line so that the rewound roll will be square on at least one end and any variations in width of the web will accumulate on the opposite side of the web from said one edge and on the opposite end of the roll from the square end. If desired, the web may be cut to a constant width during rewinding.

One type of conventional web guiding device utilizes a pair of spaced sensing elements defining the desired predetermined path of travel of the web therebetween. These sensing elements are disposed perpendicular to opposite side edges of the web traveling said predetermined path such that the side edges of the traveling web will engage the sensing elements if the web deviates from said predetermined path of travel. These sensing elements are usually connected to suitable switches which control corrective guide means for shifting the web back to said predetermined path. 7

Since the sensing elements are spaced a predetermined distance apart, this type of Web controlling device guides the web as a whole and does not maintain one edge thereof traveling along a constant line if the web varies in width, as is normally the case with base fabric webs with which the present invention is primarily concerned. Also, there is no means associated with this type of device for rendering the Web rewinding means inoperative upon a major deviation from said path of travel. Frequently, the sensing elements and associated switches malfunction and in such a case the corrective guide means does not return the web to the normal path of travel. If the travel of the web is continued under such conditions and the web is being cut to a constant Width, as is usually the case, the portion of the web that is cut after the major deviation is ruined and hence is relegated to waste. Even if the web is not being cut to a constant width, considerable time and labor are expended as a result of such major deviations since the portion of the web which is rewound after the major deviation must be unwound and rewound before the same can be presented to the tufting machine.

3,155,426 Patented Nov. 10, 1964 Another type of conventional traveling web control mechanism includes a pair of air jets or light cells disposed on opposite sides of a constant line along which one edge of the fabric is to be correctively guided. Sensing elements are disposed beneath the air jets or light cells and are adapted to be actuated by the air jets or light beams if the Web is not disposed therebetween. As was the case with the first type of control device, the sensing elements control switches which in turn control corrective guiding means. This type of web control mechanism is limited in the type of web with which the same may be used, since the air jets or light beams will pass through the open mesh, gauze-like or very thin webs and actuate the sensing elements disposed therebeneath. Also, webs which would normally offer sufficient resistance to the air jets or light beams frequently vary in thickness and have thin places which sometimes allow the air jets or light beams to pass therethrough actuating the sensing element and thereby falsely indicating a deviation.

The present invention obviates the deficiencies of conventional types of traveling web control mechanisms by providing an improved Web sensing means which is operable with all types of webs to maintain one edge thereof traveling along a constant line. In addition, the present invention provides means for insuring that no false indications of web deviations are given by said sensing means. In this regard, said means conditions the sensing means upon the occurrenceof variations in thickness of the traveling web to insure that the sensing means is actuated only by deviations of the traveling Web from the constant line and not by the variations in thickness of the web. Also, means is provided for sensing major deviations of the Web from the constant line and for stopping the rewinding apparatus to terminate the travel of the web.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for controlling all types of traveling webs in such manner that one edge of the web is caused to travel along a substantially constant line.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for controlling all types of traveling webs and for correctively guiding one edge thereof along a substantially constant line comprising a pair of sensing means disposed on opposite sides of said constant line, one of said sensing means being adapted to be in engagement with the upper surface of the traveling web when the same is traveling along said constant line and the other of said sensing means being out of engagement with the upper surface of the web, said one sensing means moving out of engagement with the upper surface of said web when said one edge deviates from said constant line in one direction and said other sensing means moving into engagement with the upper surface of said web when the web deviates from the constant line in the other direction, said first and second sensing means being operatively connected to corrective guide means for guiding said web back to said constant line upon actuation of said sensing means.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the character last described in cluding means for sensing variations in the thickness of the traveling web and for conditioning said first and second sensing means accordingly such that said sensing means are actuated only upon deviations of said web from said constant line and for insuring that no false indications of web deviation Will be given because of variations in the thickness of said traveling Web.

A still further more specific object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus of the character last described including means for sensing major deviations of said web from said constant line and in response thereto for stopping the traveling Web.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an apparatus incorporatin g the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 5-5 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 6-6 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 77 in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of the electrical circuit for the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings and more particuiarly to FIGURES l and 2, the apparatus incorporating the features of the present invention is generally indicated at it) and includes a table 11 having a table top or web supporting surface 12 over which a fabric web W is drawn in a manner to be presently described. Table top 12 is supported by suitable leg members 13 which rest at their bottom end on the fioor F of the manufacturing plant.

A horizontal idler roll 14 is disposed at one end of table 11 with the uppermost portion of its peripheral surface at the same elevation as web supporting surface 12. Idler roll 14 is journaled for rotation in bearings 15 mounted on table 11 at opposite ends of roll 14. Idler roll 14 is adapted to have the web W pass thereover and serves to guide the same onto web supporting surface 12. V A second idler roll 16 is disposed at the other end of table 11 and is journaled for rotation in bearings 17 mounted on table 11 at opposite ends of idler roll 16. Second idler roll in is adapted to have the web W pass thereover and to guide the same off of web supporting surface 12.

A web unwinding mechanism 20 is disposed at said one end of table 11 adjacent idler roll 14 and comprises a pair of spaced bearing brackets 21 mounted on floor F and extending upwardly therefrom a distance greater than the radius of the largest roil of web material to be unwound. Bearing brackets 21 have a shaft 22 rotatably and slidably mounted therein which in turn mounts a roll R of web material to be unwound.

Shaft 22 is also journaled at one end in a bearing 23 (FIGURE 8) which is mounted in a connecting sleeve 24. Connecting sleeve 24 is mounted in a housing 25 for slidable movement in longitudinal alinement with shaft 22. Sleeve 24 is internally threaded and matingly receives a threaded shaft 25 therein. Shaft 25 is journaled for rotation in housing 25 and has a worm gear 27 drivingly mounted thereon. Worm gear 27 has the teeth thereof mating with a worm 3t rotatably mounted on a shaft 31. Shaft 31 is journaled at one end in housing 25 and is connected at its other end by a suitable coupling 32 (FIG- URE 2) to one end of the output shaft 33 (FIGURE 8) of a reversible motor 34. Motor 34 is mounted on floor F and includes a first winding 34a (FIGURE 8) which, whenenergized, rotates output shaft 33 thereof counterclockwise and a second winding 34!: which, when energized, rotates output shaft 33 clockwise as indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 8.

A web rewinding mechanism 49 is positioned at the other end of table 11 adjacent idler roll 16 and comprises a pair of spaced bearing brackets 41 mounted on the floor F and extending upwardly therefrom similar to bearing brackets 21. Bearing brackets 41 journal a shaft 42 for rotation therein which mounts a second roll R thereon for rotation therewith for rewinding the web W therearound and at the same time drawing the web W across web supporting surface 12. A policy 43 is drivingly mounted on one end of shaft 42 for rotating the same in bearing brackets 41. A belt 44 is supported at one end around pulley 43 and at its other end around a drive pulley 45 mounted on the output shaft of a motor 46.

The sensing mechanism of the present invention is generally indicated at 56 and comprises an inverted L-shaped bracket 51 mounted on table if by bolts 52 penetrating through a cross portion 51a formed at one end of the vertical leg 51b of bracket 51 and into suitable holes formed in the side of table 11. Vertical leg 51b of bracket 51 extends upwardly from web supporting surface 12 and a horizontal leg 510 extends inwardly from the upper end of vertical leg 51b into overlying relation to web supporting surface 12. A vertical plate 53 is mounted on horizontal leg 51c of bracket 51 by bolts 54 and has portions 53a of reduced thickness at opposite sides thereof.

A housing 55 having front, back, side, top and bottom walls, 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d and 55e, respectively, is mounted on vertical plate 53 for vertical sliding movement by a pair of L-shaped brackets 56 mounted on back wall 55/; and having one leg thereof disposed on the opposite side of reduced portions 53a to embrace these portions between said one leg of brackets 55 and housing 55. Bottom Wall 55e has a first opening formed vertically therethrough in which is disposed a housing supporting member 60. Housing supporting member 60 is mounted for vertical adjustment in said first opening by a set screw 61. A first roller 62 is rotatably mounted on the lower end of housing supporting member 60 by a bolt 63 which penetrates therethrough and is suitably received in an internally threaded opening in housing supporting member 60. Housing supporting member 69 and roller 62 define major sensing means for sensing major deviations of the web in a manner to be presently described.

It is noted that the axis of rotation of first roller 62 is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the web W such that the roller rotates in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of web W. Roller 62 and housing supporting member 60 are disposed inwardly from a substantially constant line on web supporting surface 12 along which one edge of the web is to be guided such that roller 62 is adapted to rollingly engage the upper surface of the web W when the same is being drawn across web supporting surface 12 with the right edge thereof looking in the direction of travel of the web traveling along said substantially constant line. It is further noted that roller 62 and housing supporting member 69 normally support housing 55 above web supporting surface 12 and that the weight of housing 55 urges roller 62 downwardly toward web supporting surface 12. Therefore, when said right edge of the web deviates to the left from said constant line a distance equal to the distance that roller 62 is disposed inwardly from said constant line, which is equal to the maximum allowable deviation of said right edge of said web from the constant line, the web will move from beneath roller 62 and roller 62 will move downwardly into engagement with web supporting surface 12. Also, roller 62 and hence housing 55 will move upwardly and downwardly in response to variations in the thickness of the web W for reasons to be presently described.

A first vertical plate 64 has opposite'sides thereof disposed in grooves formed in the inner faces of front and rear walls 55a and 55b, respectively, and is mounted on top wall 55d by bolts 65. A first switch 65 of the normally open type is mounted on plate 64 by bolts 67 and has an actuating plunger 68 extending upwardly therefrom.

A compound lever system 6R for multiplying the relatively small movement of roller 62 into sulficiently large movement to actuate switch 6% is positioned above switch 66 and comprises a first lever 70 mounted on vertical plate 64 for pivotal movement by a pivot pin 71 penetrating through one end thereof and with the other end thereof overlying and resting on actuating plunger 68 of switch 66. A second lever 72 is pivotally mounted on vertical plate 64 in superposed relation to first lever 70 by a pivot pin 73 penetrating through the 'end thereof opposite from the end of lever 70 through which pivot pin 71 penetrates. A pin '74 is mounted in a recess formed in the lower surface of lever "72 adjacent the end thereof opposite from pivot pin 73 and has a head portion 74a which engages the upper surface of lever 70 at a point between pivot pin 71 and actuating plunger 68 of switch 66, but preferably closer to pivot pin 71 than to plunger 68.

An arm 75 is mounted at one end on vertical plate 53 and extends outwardly therefrom into overlying relation to top wall 55d of housing 55. An externally threaded bolt 76 is threadably mounted in a suitable nut 77 mounted on arm 75 and penetrates through suitable openings formed in arm 75 and top wall 550! of housing 55. The lower end of bolt 75 engages the upper surface of lever 72 at a point between pivot pin 73 and pin 74 with the point of engagement being closer to pivot pin 73 than to pin 74.

Bottom wall 55a of housing 55 has a second opening extending vertically therethrough in which is disposed a sensing member 819 mounted for sliding vertical movement. A second roller 81 is rotatably mounted at the lower end thereof in a similar manner to the manner in which roller 62 is mounted on housing supporting member 61). It is noted that sensing member $50 and second roller 81 are disposed between roller 62 and said constant line such that second roller 81 is in rolling engagement with the upper surface of the web W when said right edge is traveling along said constant line and define first minor sensing means for sensing minor deviations of said right edge from the constant line.

A pin 82 is mounted in an upwardly opening recess in the upper end of sensing member 81 has a headed portion 82a thtereon. A vertical plate d3 similar to vertical plate 64 is mounted in housing 55 adjacent to and to one side of the upper end of sensing member 80 and has opposite sides thereof disposed in grooves formed in the inner surface of front and rear walls 55a, 55b, respectively, of housing 55. Vertical plate 33 is mounted for vertical adjustment on top wall 55d by bolts 84 which are threadably received in internally threaded openings formed in plate 83 and have lock nuts 85 mounted thereon to hold the same in adjusted position.

A compound lever system 86 substantially the same as the compound lever system 69 is employed between sensing member 30 and a switch 87 mounted on vertical plate 83 above the upper end of sensing member 80 by bolts 88. Switch 87 is of the normally closed type and has an actuating plunger 89 extending downwardly therefrom. Compound lever system $6 comprises a first lever pivotally mounted on vertical plate 83 at one end by a pivot pin 91 and having the lower surface thereof overlying the upper end of sensing member fill and resting on the headed portion 82a of pin 82 at a point spaced from pivot pin 91. A pin 92 is mounted in an upwardly opening recess in the top surface of lever 90 adjacent to the other end thereof and has a headed portion 92a engaging the lower surface of a second lever 93 pivotally mounted on vertical plate 33 by a pivot pin 94 in overlying relation to lever 90. It is noted that pivot pin Q4 is disposed at the opposite end of lever 93 from pivot pin 91 mounting lever 90 and that pin 92 engages lever 93 closer to pivot pin 4 than to the other end thereof. The upper surface of lever )3 underlies and engages actuating plunger 89 of switch 87.

Bottom wall 55e of housing 55 has a third vertically disposed opening therethrough in which is mounted a second sensing member 101 A third roller 161 is rotatably mounted on the lower end of second sensing member 1(30 closely adjacent to roller 31 but on the opposite side of said constant line therefrom such that the rollers 81 and 101 define said constant line of travel for said right edge of the web therebetween. Sensing member 1% and roller 101 define second minor sensing means for sensing minor deviations of the right edge of the web to the right from said constant line.

A pin N2 is mounted on the upper end of second sensing member 11119 and has a headed portion 1112a thereon. A vertical plate 1% similar to plates 64 and 83 is mounted in housing 55 adjacent to and to one side of the upper end of second sensing member 1%. Plate 1&3 has opposite sides thereof disposed in grooves formed in the inner surface or" front and rear walls 55a, 55b, and is mounted on top wall 550. by bolts 1114 for vertical adjustment. The lower ends of bolts 1% are threadably received in internally threaded openings in plate 1133 and suitable lock nuts 185 are mounted thereon to hold the same in adjusted position.

A compound lever system 1116 substantially the same as compound lever systems 6% and 36 is disposed between the upper end of second sensing member and a switch M7 mounted on plate 1113 thereabove by bolts 1118. Switch 1117 is of the normally open type and has a plunger 11% extending downwardly therefrom. Compound lever system 1% comprises a pair of levers 111, 112, respectively, mounted on plate 163 for pivotal movement by pivot pins 113, 114, respectively, in the same manner as previously described levers 9d, 93. Av pin is mounted in a recess in lever 111 and has a headed portion 115a engaging lever 112 and lever 112 in turn engages actuating plunger 11d of switch 111?.

Since the right edge of web W is maintained traveling along said constant line, any variations in width of the web will accumulate on the left-hand side of the web looking in the direction of travel thereof. Preferably, an electrically operable cutter mechanism 116 is provided for longitudinally cutting the web adjacent said left edge to remove the variations in width to thereby provide a web of substantially constant width. Cutter mechanism 116 comprises an electric motor 117 mounted on table 11 and having an output shaft 118 extending inwardly into overlying relation to web supporting surface 12. A rotary cutting blade 119 is mounted on shaft 118 for rotation therewith and is spaced from said constant line a distance equal to the desired width of the web W. If desired, an additional cutter mechanism may be provided adjacent to said constant line, but the same is optional and is not required to provide a web of substantially constant width or a rewound roll with square ends.

Referring now to FIGURE 8 wherein the circuit diagram for the apparatusltl is shown, a power line 1213 and a ground line 121 has a master switch 122 connected therein. Switch 66 is connected in power line 129 which has the opposite end thereof connected to one side of motor 45 which rotates rewinding roll R Ground line 121 is connected to the opposite side of motor 46 to complete the circuit thereto.

A line 123 connects one side of switch 87 to power line 1211 and a line 124 connects the opposite side of switch 8'7 to the winding 34a of motor 34. A line 125 connects winding 34a to ground line 1211 to complete the circuit thereto. A line 12% connects one side of switch 1117 to power line and a line 127 connects the opposite side thereof to winding 34b of motor 34 which in turn is connected to line by a line 130 to complete the circuit thereto.

In operation, the web W is guided from the roll R onto web supporting surface 12 by idler roll 14 and is guided off of web supporting surface 12 by idler roll 16 onto rewinding roll R which draws the web across web supporting surface 12. Roll R is driven by shaft 42 which in turn is driven by motor 46 through drive pulley 45, belt 44 and pulley 43.

As the web is drawn across web supporting surface 12 by roll R the same may frequently deviate to the left or to the right from said constant line defined such that the edges of the material on the rewound roll R would not be in line or square. As long as the right edge of the web W is traveling along said constant line, roller it is in engagement with web supporting surface 12 and switch m7 is open and rollers 62 and 81 are in rolling engagement with the upper surface of the web. Roller 62 maintains switch as closed through housing supporting member 63- and compound lever system 69 and roller 31 maintains switch 87 open through sensing member 30 and compound lever system 86. In this regard, when the web W initially moves beneath roller 62, roller 62 moves upwardly, in turn moving housing 55 upwardly by means of housing supporting member (at). As housing 55 moves upwardly, plate 64 and switch 66 and compound lever system 69 mounted thereon are likewise moved upwardly therewith. Upon upward movement of .compound lever system 65 and switch 66, lever 72 moves against stationary bolt 76 which exerts a downward force thereagainst pivoting the same downwardly about pivot pin 73. Lever '72 thereby exerts a downward force on lever '79 pivoting the same about pivot pin '21. Lever 7t then exerts a downward force on plunger 63 which closes normally open switch ea.

In like manner, wh n the web moves beneath roller 81, the same moves sensing member 80 upwardly relative to housing 55 and exerts an upward force on lever 99 through pin 82. Lever 90 is pivoted upwardly about pivot pin 91 and exerts an upward force on lever 93 through pin 92. Lever 93 is likewise pivoted upwardly about pivot pin 94 and exerts an upward force on plunger 89 which opens normally closed switch 87.

Upon a minor deviation of the right edge of web W to the left from the constant line, web W moves from beneath roller 81 allowing the same to move downwardly into engagement with web supportin surface 12:. Sensing member 8t; likewise moves downwardly removing the upward force on lever 9% which allows the same to pivot downwardly about pivot pin 91. The upward force is thereby removed from lever Q3 and the same pivots downwardly about pivot 94 allowing normally closed switch 37 to move to the closed position.

Upon closure of switch 87, a circuit is completed through power line 129, line 123, line 125 and ground line 121 to winding 34a of motor 34 energizing the same. Motor 34 then rotates output shaft 33 thereof counterclockwise, as seen in FIGURE 8, and shaft '33 rotates shaft 31 through coupling 32. Worm 30 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by shaft 31 and drives worm gear 27 which rotates threaded shaft 26. Upon rotation of shaft 26 in this direction, sleeve 24- slides in housing 2.5 to the right, as seen in FIGURE 8, which moves shaft 22 and the roll R carried thereby to the right to correctively guide the right edge of the web W back to said constant line.

When the right edge of the web W is returned to the constant line, the same moves beneath roller 81 which opens switch 87 through sensing member 86 and compound lever system 86. Opening of switch 37 breaks the circuit to winding 34a of motor 34 ole-energizing the same and thereby stopping the movement of shaft 22- and roller R to the right.

Upon a major deviation of the right edge of the web to the left from the constant line, the web moves from beneath roller 62 allowing the same to move downwardly into engagement with web supporting surface 12. Housing supporting member 60 and, hence, housing 55 likewise move downwardly carrying switch 66 and compound lever system 69 therewith away from stationary bolt '76 allowing normally open switch 66 to move to the open position. When this occurs, the circuit to motor 46 is opened and operation thereof is terminated. Upon stopping of motor 46, the rotation of roll R is like-wise stopped and, hence,

the travel of web W across web supporting surface 12 is terminated.

It is noted that a major deviation of the web will not normally occur, since the corrective guiding mechanism of the instant invention will be rendered operative by sensing roller 81 upon a minor deviation of the web in this direction. However, sensing roller 62 operates as a safety device to prevent the travel of the web from continuing in case there is a malfunction in th sensing mechanism or corrective guiding system of the present invention. it is noted that if such a malfunction occurred and travel of the web W continued, the cutter mechanism 116 would probably ruin considerable yardage of the web before the malfunction was discovered by an operator.

Upon deviation of the right edge of the web to the right from said constant line, the Web W moves beneath sensing roller 131 which moves the same upwardly. Sensing memher 1% is thereby moved upwardly and exerts an upward force on lever 111 which pivots the same upwardly about pivot pin 113. Lever 111 exerts an upward force on lever 112 through pin 115' which pivots lever 112 upwardly about pivot pin lid. Lever i 12 exerts an upward force on plunger fit; which closes switch 167.

A circuit to winding 34b of motor 34 is thereby completed through power line 121 line 127, line 136, line 125 and ground line 1121. Upon energization of winding 34b of motor 36, output shaft 33 thereof is rotated in a clockwise direction and rotates shaft 31 in the same direction through coupling 32. Worm 30 is thereby rotated in a clockwise direction and drives worm gear 27 which rotates threaded shaft 26. Upon such rotation of threaded shaft 2d, sleeve 24 is moved to the left in housing 25 and thereby moves shaft 22 and roll R to the left to guide the right edge of web W back to said constant line.

When the right edge of Web W is returned to the constant line, the same moves from beneath roller 101 which opens switch 107. Winding 34b of motor 34 is thereby deenergized and movement of shaft 22 and roll R to the left is terminated.

It is noted that since switches 87 and 16-7 and compound lever systems 36 and 166 which are associated with the sensing members and 169, respectively, are carried by housing 55, that the minor deviation sensing mechanisms of the apparatus It are conditioned for all variation in thickness of webs passing therebeneath such that the same will only be actuated only by deviations of the web from the constant line and not by variations in the thickness of the web W and will be de-actuated upon return of the edge of the web to the constant line. In this regard, it has previously been stated that very slight movement of sensing members 8 and will result in closing of switches 87 and 1&7 due to the magnification of this movement by compound lever systems 86 and 196. Therefore, sensing roller 62 operates to move both housing 55' and, hence, switches 37 and 107 and compound lever systems 8-5 and 196 upwardly and downwardly upon variations in the thickness of web W a corresponding amount to the upward and downward movement of sensing members 80 and tilt? by these variations in thickness. Therefore, switch 87 will not be closed by variations in thickness of the web while the right edge thereof is traveling along the constant line and switch 1&7 will be maintained closed for as long as the web is beneath roller 101 and will not be opened by variations in thickness which would falsely indicate that the web has been returned to the constant line.

It will therefore be apparent that an improved web controlling apparatus is provided which is capable of operation with all types of webs to maintain one edge thereof traveling along a constant line and which conditions the sensing mechanism to variations in thickness of the traveling web such that no false indications will be given and the corrective guide means will only be actuated upon deviations of said web from the constant line.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, al-

though specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling traveling webs to guide one edge thereof along a substantially constant, horizontal line, said apparatus comprising (a) first and second laterally spaced, vertically movable sensing means disposed on opposite sides of said constant line, said first sensing means being normally in engagement with the Web closely adjacent to said one edge thereof and said second sensing means normally being out of engagement with the web when said one edge thereof is traveling along said constant line, said first sensing means moving downwardly out of engagement with the web when said one edge thereof deviates from said constant line in a direction laterally away from said second sensing means and said second sensing means being adapted to move upwardly into engagement with the web when said one edge thereof deviates from said constant line in the opposite direction,

(11) first switch means operatively associated with said first sensing means and being actuated upon movement of said first sensing means out of engagement with the web,

() second switch means operatively associated with said second sensing means and being actuated upon movement of said second sensing means into engagement with the web,

(d) guide means responsive to actuation of either of said first and second switch means for correctively guiding said one edge of the web back to the con- I stant line, and

' (2) third sensing means for sensing variations in thickness of the web and being operatively connected to said first and second switch means for compensatingly varying the position of said first and second switch means relative to saidtfirst and second sensing means to thereby maintain said first and second switch means responsive to all deviations of the web and only such deviations.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including motion magnifying means disposed between each of said first and second sensing means and its corresponding switch means for amplifying the movement of each of said sensing means out of or into engagement with the web to insure that each of said switch meansis fully actuated thereby.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 including means for drawing the web in a path of travel past said sensing means, and wherein said third sensing means is normally in engagement with the web and moves out of engagement therewith upon a major deviation of said one edge of the web from said constant line in a direction laterally away from said second sensing means, and further including third switch means operatively associated with said third sensing means for actuation thereby upon movement of said third sensing means out of engagement with the web and being connected to said web drawing means for rendering said web drawing means inoperative upon actuation thereof to thus stop the travel of the web.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1 including web severing means positioned remote from said first sensing means and adjacent the other edge of the web when said one edge is traveling along said constant line for severing the web to the desired, substantially constant width.

5. Apparatus for controlling traveling webs to guide one edge thereof along a substantially constant line, said apparatus comprising (a) a web supporting surface,

(1:) means for drawing the web in a path of travel across said web supporting surface,

(0) first and second vertically movable laterally spaced sensing means disposed above said web supporting surface on opposite sides of the constant line along which said one edge of the web is to be guided, said first sensing means normally being in engagement with the web closely adjacent to said one edge thereof and said second sensing means normally being in engagement with said supporting surface and out of engagement with the web when said one edge thereof is traveling along said constant line, said first sensing means moving out of engagement with the web when said one edge of the web deviates from said constant line in a direction laterally away from said second sensing means and said second sensing means moving upwardly out of engagement with said supporting surface and into engagement with the web when said one edge of the web deviates from said constant line in the opposite direction,

(d) first switch means disposed above said first sensing means and operatively associated therewith for actuation upon downward movement of said first sensing means out of engagement with the web,

(e) second switch means disposed above and operatively associated with said second sensing means for actuation upon upward movement of said second sensing means out of engagement with said supporting surface and into engagement with the web,

(f) guide means responsive to actuation of either of said first and second switch means for correctively guiding said one edge of the web back to the constant line,

(g) means for sensing major deviations of the web from the constant line and being disposed above said supporting surface adjacent said first sensing means and on the opposite side thereof from said second sensing means, said major deviation sensing means normally being in engagement with the web when said one edge thereof is traveling along said constant line and moving out of engagement with the web upon a major deviation of said one edge of the web from the constant line in a direction laterally away from said second sensing means, and

(h) third switch means operatively associated with said major deviation sensing means and operatively connected to said web drawing means for rendering said web drawing means inoperative upon movement of said major deviationsensing means out of engagement with the web to thus stop the travel of the web.

6. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein said major deviation sensing means also senses variations in the thickness of the web passing therebeneath and is operatively connected to said first and second switch means for compensatingly varying the position of said first and second switch means, relative to said first and second sensing means for avoiding actuation of said first and second switch means in response to such variations and to thereby maintain said first and second switch means responsive only to deviations of said one edge of the web from the constant line.

7. The structure set forth in claim 5 including web severing means positioned remote from said first sensing means and adjacent the other edge of the web for severing the web to the desired width.

8. Apparatus for controlling traveling webs to guide one edge thereof along a substantially constant line, said apparatus comprising (a) a web supporting surface,

(12) means for drawing the web across said web supporting surface,

(0) a housing disposed above said web supporting surface adjacent one side thereof,

(d) major deviation sensing means normally being in engagement with the web being drawn across said web supporting surface when said one edge thereof is traveling along said constant line and supporting said housing above said web supporting surface for vertical movement relative to said supporting surface, said major deviation sensing means sensing variations in the thickness of the web and moving said housing upwardly and downwardly in response to such variations, said major sensing means moving out of engagement with the Web upon a major deviation of said one edge of the web from said constant line in a lateral direction away from said one side of the supporting surface adjacent which said housing and major sensing means are disposed,

(e) first minor deviation sensing means slidably mounted on said housing for vertical movement relative thereto and extending downwardly therefrom between said major sensing means and said constant line and normally being in engagement with the web being drawn across the web supporting surface, said first minor sensing means moving out of engagement with the web upon a minor deviation of said one edge thereof from the constant line in the lateral direction away from said one side of the web supporting surface,

(f) second minor deviation sensing means slidably mounted on said housing for vertical movement and extending downwardly therefrom into engagement with the web supporting surface closely adjacent to said first minor sensing means, but on the opposite side of said constant line therefrom, said second minor deviation sensing means normally being out of engagement with said web and moveable into engagement with the web upon a minor deviation of said one edge from the constant line in the opposite lateral direction,

(g) first switch means carried by said housing for movement therewith and being operatively associated with said first minor deviation sensing means for actuation thereby upon movement of said first minor deviation sensing means out of engagement with the web,

(It) second'switch means mounted within said housing for movement therewith and being opera'tively associated with said second minor deviation sensing means for actuation upon movement of said second minor deviation sensing means into engagement with the Web,

(i) guide means operatively connected to said second and third switch means and responsive to actuation of either of said switch means for correctively guiding said one edge of the back to the constant line, and

(j) third switch means carried by said housing for movement therewith and being operatively associated with said major deviation sensing means for actuation thereby upon movement thereof out of engagement with the web, said third switch means being operatively connected to said web drawing means for rendering the same inoperative upon actuation thereof to "thus stop the movement of the web.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8 including motion magnifying means operatively associated with each of said switch means and its corresponding sensing means for amplifying the movement of each of said sensing means out of or into engagement with the web to insure that each of said switch means is fully actuated thereby.

10. The structure set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second minor deviation sensing means comprise first and second vertically disposed, parallel sensing mem- 12 bers slidably mounted in said housing, and a roller mounted on the lower end of each of said members and being adapted to rollingly engage the web when the same is disposed therebcneath.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10 wherein said first switch means is of the normally closed type, is disposed above the upper end of said first sensing member and has an actuating plunger extending downwardly toward said first sensing member, and said second switch means is of the normally open type, is disposed above the upper end of said second sensing member, and has an actuating plunger extending downwardly toward said second sensing member, and including motion magnifying means disposed between each of said sensing members and its corresponding switch means for amplifying the movement of each of said sensing members, each of said motion magnifying means comprising first and second superposed levers, said first lever being pivotally mounted on said housing at one end and having its lower surface engaging the upper end of said sensing member at a point closer to its pivoted end than to the other end thereof, said second lever being pivotally mounted on said housing at its end opposite from the pivot point of said first lever and having its lower surface engaging said first lever adjacent to said other end of said first lever and at a point closer to the pivoted end of said second lever than to the other end thereof, said second lever engaging the actuating plunger of said switch means adjacent said other end thereof.

12. The structure set forth in claim 10 wherein said major deviation sensing means comprises a housing supporting member connected to said housing at its upper end and extending downwardly adjacent to said first sensing member on the opposite side thereof from said second sensing member and a roller mounted on the lower end of said housing supporting member and being adapted to rollingly engage the web when the same is disposed therebeneath.

13. The structure set forth in claim 12 wherein said third switch means is of the normally open type and has an upwardly extending actuating plunger and including stationary stop means disposed above said third switch means, and motion magnifying means disposed between said actuating plunger of said third switch means and said stop means for amplifying the movement of said third switch means with said housing.

14. The structure set forth in claim 13 wherein said last named motion magnifying means comprises first and second superposed levers, said first lever being pivotally mounted on said housing at one end and having its lower surface engaging said actuating plunger of said third switch means adjacent its other end, said second lever being pivotally mounted on said housing at the end thereof opposite from the pivoted end of said first lever and having its lower surface adjacent the other end thereof engaging said first lever at a point closer to the pivoted end of said first lever than to the other end thereof, said second lever engaging said stop means at a point closer to the pivoted end thereof than to the other end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS It is h ent reqliring correc e'z'eby certified tio'n and corrected below.

Column 10 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W,

ned and sealed t SWIDER Ancsting Officer D STATES PATEN ATE OF CORRECTION that error appe line 48, for th John D. Brock that the said his 30th day of are in the abov Letters Patent 5 e claim referenc T OFFICE November- 1O e numbered pathould read as e numeral "'5" March 1965,

EDWARD J BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING WEBS TO GUIDE ONE EDGE THEREOF ALONG A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT, HORIZONTAL LINE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) FIRST AND SECOND LATERALLY SPACED, VERTICALLY MOVABLE SENSING MEANS DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CONSTANT LINE, SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS BEING NORMALLY IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEB CLOSELY ADJACENT TO SAID ONE EDGE THEREOF AND SAID SECOND SENSING MEANS NORMALLY BEING OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEB WHEN SAID ONE EDGE THEREOF IS TRAVELING ALONG SAID CONSTANT LINE, SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS MOVING DOWNWARDLY OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEB WHEN SAID ONE EDGE THEREOF DEVIATES FROM SAID CONSTANT LINE IN A DIRECTION LATERALLY AWAY FROM SAID SECOND SENSING MEANS AND SAID SECOND SENSING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE UPWARDLY INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEB WHEN SAID ONE EDGE THEREOF DEVIATES FROM SAID CONSTANT LINE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, (B) FIRST SWITCH MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS AND BEING ACTUATED UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST SENSING MEANS OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WEB, 